PSG stronger without Mbappé? Ousmane Dembélé gives his opinion

Paris Saint-Germain is on the verge of making history. This Saturday, they will step onto the grandest stage in club football — the UEFA Champions League final — against Inter Milan, in search of their first ever continental crown. And they will do it without the man who has been at the heart of their project for years: Kylian Mbappé.

Since Mbappé’s summer move to Real Madrid, the Parisian squad has undergone a transformation — one that many fans and analysts have described as a renaissance. No longer revolving around a singular superstar, the team has started to function like a well-oiled collective unit. The flair remains, but now it’s laced with cohesion, balance, and a shared responsibility on the pitch.

Luis Enrique, who took charge shortly before Mbappé’s departure, had long advocated for such a change. For him, building a team that thrives on chemistry rather than individual brilliance was a top priority. Early signs this season suggest that the Spaniard’s vision is finally being realized, with PSG navigating their European campaign with an efficiency rarely seen in past years.

One of the key figures of this new-look PSG is Ousmane Dembélé. Recruited from Barcelona, the French winger has flourished under Luis Enrique’s system. With 8 goals in 14 Champions League appearances, Dembélé has silenced critics who questioned his consistency and fitness. Yet, even in his finest form, the 27-year-old hasn’t forgotten what Mbappé meant to the club.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Dembélé was asked whether PSG is indeed stronger without Mbappé. His answer was honest and reflective. “I often think to myself, maybe with Kylian, we would’ve been even stronger this season. You never know what could have happened,” he said, offering a thoughtful pause. “But Kylian had a dream: to join Real Madrid. PSG moved forward. There’s clearly a before and after Mbappé. We wish him all the best.”

Dembélé’s words carry weight, not just because of his stature, but because of the reality he acknowledges. Mbappé’s exit marked a turning point for PSG — emotionally and tactically. For years, the team’s identity was intertwined with his explosive pace, his eye for goal, and his superstar persona. Losing him could have spelled decline. Instead, it marked a recalibration.

The winger emphasized that rather than dwell on the past, the squad chose to embrace the moment. “We focused on ourselves, on the team, and on the season we wanted to deliver,” he added. That mindset has propelled PSG through a challenging campaign — one that included tough fixtures against the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Barcelona.

Still, it’s difficult to ignore the hypothetical. Would PSG have been more dangerous with both Dembélé and Mbappé terrorizing defenses? It’s a tantalizing thought. But in football, what matters most is the present — and PSG’s present is a Champions League final berth that was earned through teamwork, discipline, and sacrifice.

Behind Dembélé, the team boasts a strong midfield led by Vitinha and Ugarte, as well as a reinvented Marquinhos at the back. The absence of big egos has allowed lesser-known names to step into the spotlight. And while Mbappé’s name still echoes around the Parc des Princes, the team no longer leans on him to win games.

Even Luis Enrique echoed a similar sentiment earlier this season, praising the group’s growth. “We are now a team where everyone defends, everyone attacks. No one is above the group,” the coach remarked after their semifinal win. It was a not-so-subtle contrast to previous seasons where defensive duties were often compromised for star treatment.

For Dembélé, the final against Inter Milan is more than a shot at glory — it’s a personal opportunity to cement his status as a PSG icon. He has often been criticized in the past for failing to deliver on the big stage, especially during his time in Spain. Now, with a revitalized role and a coach who believes in his ability, he could finally silence the doubters once and for all.

What’s also clear is the mutual respect between Dembélé and Mbappé. There’s no bitterness in his words, only admiration and a tinge of nostalgia. “Kylian gave a lot to PSG. We miss him, of course. But football goes on. And today, we are writing a new story,” he concluded.

That new story might just have a fairytale ending. Should PSG lift the Champions League trophy on Saturday, it will serve as proof that a team can thrive after losing its biggest star — and that unity, more than any individual brilliance, is the true foundation of success.

The debate over whether PSG is stronger without Mbappé may never find a definitive answer. But what’s certain is that this version of Paris Saint-Germain is different — and perhaps, just perhaps, better in its own way.

And as the club prepares for the biggest night in its history, one thing is sure: Ousmane Dembélé and his teammates are ready to take center stage — not as sidekicks to a superstar, but as a team built to conquer Europe on their own terms.